Martial Arts Styles:
Shotokan Karate

Shotokan Karate was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). One of the greatest Okinawan Martial Arts masters, Funakoshi trained in two styles of Okinawan Karate, Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu for many years.

He created a simpler style that combined what he thought were the best techniques from the two, and also from Kendo's (Japanese Fencing) distancing, and timing.

Shotokan is called a "hard external" style of Karate because of the low stances that are taught to beginners to develop power and strength, as the student progresses more fluid movements are taught, along with some Grappling and Aikido-like techniques.

Gichin Funakoshi is called the "Father of modern Karate" and is credited with bringing Karate to mainland Japan in 1922.

He changed the name of Karate from "China Hand" to "Empty Hand" after he moved to Japan, to keep it from being confused with Kung Fu.

Modern Karate

Gichin Funakoshi is called the "Father of modern Karate" and is credited with bringing Karate to mainland Japan in 1922.

He changed the name of Karate from "China Hand" to "Empty Hand" after he moved to Japan, to keep it from being confused with Kung Fu.

Shotokan played a major role in the development of Korean Tae Kwon Do. Hong Hi Choi who was a key figure in the creation of Tae Kwon Do, studied Shotokan during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the first half of the 20th century.

The name Shotokan was given to Funakoshi's Karate by his students. Shoto was Funakoshi's pen name as a writer. It means "pine waves" and kan means school. So the students that trained at Funakoshi's school were known as Shotokan.

Lyoto Machida is probably the most famous Shotokan Karate practitioner. The former UFC Light Heavy Weight Champion is a 3rd dan.



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